Hey there, welcome to the NorthStar Physical Therapy podcast!

I am your host, Dr. Shirlea North and I dive into lymphedema, lipedema, and various pelvic health dysfunctions. My goal is to provide to you a better way to understand these conditions so that you empower yourself with knowledge to advocate for yourself. Let NorthStar Physical Therapy guide and navigate you on your journey to optimal health!

In this special anniversary episode, I reflect on three years of NorthStar Physical Therapy — from humble beginnings as a mobile practice to now being a thriving brick-and-mortar clinic serving Northern Virginia and beyond.

I also open up about the challenges of being a small business owner in healthcare, our journey toward building a concierge-style practice, and why our mission to provide expert, compassionate, and holistic pelvic and lymphatic care continues to guide everything we do.

Further, I highlight October as both Breast Cancer Awareness Month and Physical Therapy Awareness Month, sharing how these observances connect directly to our specialties in pelvic and lymphatic health at NorthStar Physical Therapy, and why holistic, one-on-one care matters for survivors and all clients alike.

Let’s dive into:

• Introduction to today’s topic
• Starting the practice - From mobile visits across Northern Virginia → to subleasing space → to building a permanent brick-and-mortar clinic.
• Why concierge care matters
• Challenges of small business ownership
• October celebrations
• Pelvic health & breast cancer connection
• Importance of specialized therapy
• The fascia connection
• Holistic screening approach
• The NorthStar difference
• Closing gratitude

Check out the website for the services we perform or send me a message at Facebook or Instagram!

If you have any questions about this episode or anything related to the services that we offer, please feel free to reach out so we can help you.

If you have other topics in mind that you want me to talk about, hit me up and I’ll make sure to consider it for my next podcast!

See you in 2 weeks!

Hey there, welcome to the NorthStar Physical Therapy podcast!

I am your host, Dr. Shirlea North and I dive into lymphedema, lipedema, and various pelvic health dysfunctions. My goal is to provide to you a better way to understand these conditions so that you empower yourself with knowledge to advocate for yourself. Let NorthStar Physical Therapy guide and navigate you on your journey to optimal health!

In this episode, I will explore what it really takes to safely return to running, sport, or impact activities after pregnancy — and why these principles apply to anyone getting back into higher-level movement after time away.

From pelvic floor recovery to orthopedic alignment, footwear, and strength training, I will share how our Return to Sport/Return to Run screen helps identify imbalances and prepare the body for long-term success.

Whether your goal is running a marathon, joining group fitness, or just playing hopscotch with your kids without leakage, this episode gives you a roadmap to getting back to the activities you love with confidence!

Let’s talk about:

• Introduction to today’s topic
• Why pelvic floor evaluation (internal and external) plus orthopedic screening are essential before impact activity.
• The role of footwear, belly bands, and bras in supporting tissue during pregnancy and recovery.
• A 12–15 activity assessment including squats, planks, bridges, single-leg drills, lunges, and running mechanics.
• All about running: Training must reflect that to build strength and reduce injury risk.
• How parents wanting to play on trampolines or jog in emergencies benefit from impact prep
• Why analyzing gait and videoing runs at the point symptoms can reveal key imbalances
• How training endurance, trunk strength, calf function, and multidirectional movement supports long-term goals
• Why true return-to-sport rehab must include endurance, footwear checks, impact tolerance, and functional drills
• In-person and virtual consultations to bring return-to-sport care to more people
• Conclusion

Check out the website for the services we perform or send me a message at Facebook or Instagram!

If you have any questions about this episode or anything related to the services that we offer, please feel free to reach out so we can help you.

If you have other topics in mind that you want me to talk about, hit me up and I’ll make sure to consider it for my next podcast!

See you in 2 weeks!

Hey there, welcome to another NorthStar Physical Therapy podcast!

In this special awareness episode, I will highlight two important health observances that fall in September: Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month and Lymphoma Awareness Month. With my unique dual specialty in pelvic health and lymphatic health, I will explore with you how these conditions overlap, what symptoms to watch for, and why it’s critical to advocate for yourself in the healthcare system.

I will also share how pelvic floor and lymphedema therapy can help cancer patients not only survive but thrive — addressing quality-of-life concerns like bladder, bowel, and sexual function, along with swelling, pain, and fatigue from treatment.

This is an empowering call to action: listen to your body, seek answers, and know that holistic, specialized care is available to support you!

Let’s discuss:

• Introduction to today’s topic
• Why awareness months matter
• Ovarian cancer and pelvic health
• Role of pelvic PT in cancer care
• The lymphatic system explained
• Lymphoma and lymphatic dysfunction
• The unique overlap
• Advocacy tips
• Conclusion

Check out the website for the services we perform or send me a message at Facebook or Instagram!

If you have any questions about this episode or anything related to the services that we offer, please feel free to reach out so we can help you.

If you have other topics in mind that you want me to talk about, hit me up and I’ll make sure to consider it for my next podcast!

See you in 2 weeks!

Hey there, welcome to another NorthStar Physical Therapy podcast!

In this episode, I break down the newer, more accurate terminology that's revolutionizing how we understand hormonal changes and pelvic health symptoms.

Discover why "vaginal atrophy" and "geriatric vagina" are outdated, harmful terms, and learn about Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause and Genitourinary Syndrome of Lactation. I explain how estrogen affects your entire pelvic region, why you might feel like you have chronic UTIs that keep testing negative, and what you can actually do about these very common symptoms.

If you've been told your symptoms are just "normal aging," been prescribed unnecessary antibiotics for negative UTI tests, or feeling dismissed about hormonal changes, this episode will give you the knowledge and terminology to advocate for proper care.

Let’s talk about:

• Understanding the new terminology: Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause vs outdated terms
• Why perimenopause symptoms can start 10 years before actual menopause
• The hormonal rollercoaster: estrogen and progesterone fluctuations explained
• Common urinary symptoms that aren't actually UTIs
• Genitourinary Syndrome of Lactation and postpartum hormonal changes
• Why vaginal estrogen might be the solution you've been looking for
• The importance of internal pelvic exams with qualified providers
• Breaking the cycle of unnecessary antibiotic prescriptions

Check out the website for the services we perform or send me a message at Facebook or Instagram!

If you have any questions about this episode or anything related to the services that we offer, please feel free to reach out so we can help you.

If you have other topics in mind that you want me to talk about, hit me up and I’ll make sure to consider it for my next podcast!

See you in 2 weeks!

Hey there, welcome to the NorthStar Physical Therapy podcast!

I am your host, Dr. Shirlea North and I dive into lymphedema, lipedema, and various pelvic health dysfunctions. My goal is to provide to you a better way to understand these conditions so that you empower yourself with knowledge to advocate for yourself. Let NorthStar Physical Therapy guide and navigate you on your journey to optimal health!

In this episode, I will reveal the powerful connection between lipedema, lymphedema, and pelvic health — a connection that most healthcare providers miss entirely.

Discover why your pelvic floor muscles are literally acting as a lymphatic pump and how connective tissue dysfunction ties these conditions together. Dr. North explains why hypermobility, bladder issues, sexual dysfunction, and chronic pain might all be connected to the same underlying problem.

If you've been dealing with lipedema, unexplained pelvic symptoms, or feeling like providers aren't seeing the "whole picture," this episode will give you the missing pieces to understand your body holistically.

Let's talk about:

• The 6 core functions of your pelvic floor
• Understanding the real connective tissue dysfunction behind painful nodules and medical gaslighting
• The hypermobility connection
• Why tight isn't always right
• The trampoline analogy
• Breaking down pain with penetration, orgasm difficulties, and why pelvic exams shouldn't hurt
• How hypermobility affects tearing risk and delivery outcomes
• Manual lymphatic drainage secrets
• Why I always check pelvic health when treating lipedema and lymphedema patients
• The surprising list of people who should get regular pelvic floor evaluations (spoiler: it's almost everyone)

Check out the website for the services we perform or send me a message at Facebook or Instagram!

If you have any questions about this episode or anything related to the services that we offer, please feel free to reach out so we can help you.

If you have other topics in mind that you want me to talk about, hit me up and I’ll make sure to consider it for my next podcast!

See you in 2 weeks!

Hey there, welcome to the NorthStar Physical Therapy podcast!

I am your host, Dr. Shirlea North and I dive into lymphedema, lipedema, and various pelvic health dysfunctions. My goal is to provide to you a better way to understand these conditions so that you empower yourself with knowledge to advocate for yourself. Let NorthStar Physical Therapy guide and navigate you on your journey to optimal health!

In this episode, I break down everything you need to know about pregnancy and labor prep programs, and why they should be considered standard care for all pregnant individuals.

From understanding pelvic floor function, to preparing for both vaginal and C-section deliveries, to evaluating movement, posture, and pain management — I will help you understand why tailored programs are essential and how virtual options can still offer support when done right.

If you're pregnant, planning to be, or supporting someone through pregnancy, this episode will help you understand how a comprehensive, evidence-informed, individualized approach makes all the difference!

Let’s talk about:

• Introduction to today’s topic
• The importance of accessibility
• What a comprehensive pregnancy program includes
• C-section is still birth
• Vaginal birth prep AND C-section education
• Full-body evaluation and functional movement
• Labor positioning and breathwork
• Getting partners involved
• Why strengthening AND flexibility matter
• Customizing care
• The role of pelvic floor PT before, during, and after pregnancy

Check out the website for the services we perform or send me a message at Facebook or Instagram!

If you have any questions about this episode or anything related to the services that we offer, please feel free to reach out so we can help you.

If you have other topics in mind that you want me to talk about, hit me up and I’ll make sure to consider it for my next podcast!

See you in 2 weeks!

Hey there, welcome to the NorthStar Physical Therapy podcast!

I am your host, Dr. Shirlea North and I dive into lymphedema, lipedema, and various pelvic health dysfunctions. My goal is to provide to you a better way to understand these conditions so that you empower yourself with knowledge to advocate for yourself. Let NorthStar Physical Therapy guide and navigate you on your journey to optimal health!

In this special collaboration episode, I am joined by Dr. Amanda Skowron Romano, licensed clinical psychologist and founder of Peace of Mindfulness, to explore the deep connection between mental health, pelvic health, and the nervous system.

Together, we unpack the value of integrated care—where pelvic floor therapy and psychological support work hand-in-hand to address postpartum recovery, perimenopause, trauma, identity shifts, sexual health, and stress management.

If you’ve ever wondered how your mental and emotional state influences your pelvic floor—or why healing your body involves more than just muscles—this episode is a must-listen.

In this episode, you’ll also learn:

• Introduction to today’s topic
• Amanda reframes therapy as a tool for wellness, not just crisis, especially for new moms and those navigating life transitions.
• Why collaboration matters
• Understanding the nervous system
• The pelvic floor & emotional holding
• Mindfulness & body literacy
• Common emotional overlaps
• Breathwork practices that work
• Tips for clients & providers
• Mindfulness for the whole family
• Amanda explains why finding the right therapist matters and offers free 15-minute consults to ensure good alignment
• Final thoughts

About Dr. Amanda Skowron Romano, PsyD

Dr. Amanda Skowron Romano is a licensed clinical psychologist who is passionate about breaking down the stigma of therapy and helping people understand that seeking therapy is about health and wellness. In addition to working with individual clients and couples, Dr. Skowron Romano provides workshops and presentations bringing mindfulness into corporations, schools, and healthcare settings. Dr. Skowron Romano has extensive specialized training in Mindfulness and Acceptance Based Interventions. She has conducted research on mindfulness and published articles about postpartum depression. Her passion is to work with a clinical focus on prevention and wellness.

Reach out to her here: https://www.peaceofmindfulnessllc.com/

Check out the website for the services we perform or send me a message at Facebook or Instagram!

If you have any questions about this episode or anything related to the services that we offer, please feel free to reach out so we can help you.

If you have other topics in mind that you want me to talk about, hit me up and I’ll make sure to consider it for my next podcast!

See you in 2 weeks!

Hey there, welcome to the NorthStar Physical Therapy podcast!

I am your host, Dr. Shirlea North and I dive into lymphedema, lipedema, and various pelvic health dysfunctions. My goal is to provide to you a better way to understand these conditions so that you empower yourself with knowledge to advocate for yourself. Let NorthStar Physical Therapy guide and navigate you on your journey to optimal health!

In this eye-opening episode, I tackle one of the most misunderstood diagnoses in men’s health: prostatitis. While pelvic pain in men is often automatically labeled as prostatitis and treated with antibiotics, I will explain why this may be misdiagnosed, and how pelvic floor dysfunction, nerve tension, lymphatic congestion, or even constipation might be the real root cause.

With compassion and clarity, let me walk you through how to properly evaluate and address male pelvic pain, why antibiotics aren't always the answer, and why pelvic floor physical therapy should be first-line care in these situations.

What You'll Learn in This Episode:

• Introduction to today’s topic
• What is prostatitis, really?
• Why pelvic pain without infection should NOT be treated with antibiotics
• Differentiating prostatitis from constipation, pelvic floor tension, and nerve entrapment
• How pelvic floor PT helps
• Erectile dysfunction, bladder hesitancy, and pain with sex
• Encouraging men to speak up, ask questions, and seek out a pelvic floor physical therapist
• Lymphatic involvement in male pelvic pain
• Conclusion

Check out the website for the services we perform or send me a message at Facebook or Instagram!

If you have any questions about this episode or anything related to the services that we offer, please feel free to reach out so we can help you.

If you have other topics in mind that you want me to talk about, hit me up and I’ll make sure to consider it for my next podcast!

See you in 2 weeks!